Video

Egyptian protesters defy calls to go home

Aug 3 - Supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi say they will not abandon their sit-ins, despite pressure from a new military-backed government. Andrew Raven reports.

TRANSCRIPT +

Supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi remained defiant Saturday, saying they would not abandon protest camps like this one in Cairo.
The message comes after the country's military-backed government ordered thousands of demonstrators to abandon the sit-ins, which are stretching into their second month.
It also followed a violent night in the capital, which saw police clash with protesters outside a television production complex.
"The sit-in will not break up until our demands are met, the main one being Mursi's return,'' said one man.
Tens of thousands have taken to the streets since Egypt's military ousted Mursi last month, plunging the country into crisis.
The army said it was responding to massive anti-Mursi protests; his supporters called the move a coup.
Meanwhile, in a video posted online Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri urged the protesters to switch their focus from the political process to preserving Islamic law.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) AL QAEDA LEADER AYMAN AL-ZAWAHRI, SAYING:
"I give this piece of advice to whoever supported Mursi and I tell them first we have to admit that legitimacy doesn't lie in elections and democracy but it lies in Sharia, Sharia."
Reuters could not independently verify the content of the video.
More than 300 people have been killed since Mursi was deposed on July 3.

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